Traktor VS Itch

For years Traktor was the only game in town if you wanted professional dj software that accommodated controller DJs. Now with two years under it’s belt, Serato Itch has 4 decks, FX and sync, and is starting to look like a real player in the internal mix market. Many DJs are understandably confused as to which platform will better suit their needs with so much marketing hype for both products. To help save you some trouble, lets look at a straight up comparison of what each platform has going for them.

OVERVIEW

Itch is Serato’s dip into the controller market. It is built on the principle of 1:1 integration with proprietarily developed controllers containing a built-in sound card. So far, there are 5 available controllers: Vestax VCI-300; Denon DN-HC5000; Numark NS7 & V7; and A&H Xone DX. The closed hardware-software loop has allowed them to exploit specifics from each controller while maintaining a high degree of stability. The drawback to this is that there is no mappable functions in Itch and the configuration is locked into each of the available controllers (there is one small exception). The other big drawback is initial cost, the collaboration between Serato and the hardware manufacturer ensure tight integration, but at a high initial cost. The version we are testing is 1.6 with the 4 deck functionality for the DX.

Traktor Pro is NI’s flagship DJ software (available with or without DVS). It is built on an open configuration principle, allowing the user exhaustive mapping possibilities for virtually any midi device and sound card. This allows for set-ups as simple as a mouse and as complex as multiple controllers. The audio set-up is also user configurable, but only a single sound card can be supported by the software. Being software only, Traktor’s initial cost can be quite low (especially if upgraded from bundled software), but for a multi-controller set-up with a good quality sound card, cost can soar quickly. The version tested is 1.2.6.

INTERFACE

Even in four deck mode, Itch looks lean, trim and clean compared to Traktor. This is due to the mixer section being entirely hardware based, freeing up a large section of the screen. Also the scrolling waveforms are stacked at the bottom of the screen allowing visual mixing not available in Traktor. The waveform itself is multi colored and in combination with the stacked configuration is one of Itch’s greatest allures.

Traktor’s GUI might look a little more cluttered, but provides a mountain of information. Multiple GUI configurations can be customized by the user allowing leaner views for specific tasks. Many of the screen sections are tab based providing smart ways to access important blocks of information when required. It locates the scrolling waveform inside each virtual deck.

Advantage: Itch for its clean look and stacked, multi-color waveforms.

VIRTUAL DECKS

These are Traktor’s workhorses. Each is a self contained unit housing cues, loops, jumps and the beat grid, as well as the tools to manipulate each. With nine user assignable slots for different track information above the waveform, the information each DJ thinks is most important can be given the necessary priority.

Itch’s virtual decks don’t contain as much information and their customization is very limited. Rather they focus on the essentials of mixing, showing the current state of each available setting which the user can state of buy a mouse click or button press, as opposed to Traktor’s expansive tool boxes. The decks can best be described as straight forward and efficient.

Advantage: Traktor for powerful tools inside the decks

MIXER SECTION

The Itch mixer is hardware only, so you wont see mixer controls on screen. Full left on the EQ knobs does give you a genuine cut for that frequency range. The Itch marketing literature claims “optimal gain calculation”, but gains must be set manually and monitored as you would on an analogue mixer. In fact, comparing Itch’s mixing to that on a basic analogue mixer would be most accurate.

Traktor’s internal mixer is switchable between 4 different EQ presets including Pioneer, A&H or Ecler analogue mixer emulations. The section also includes extra features including dedicated filter, pan and key knobs. The filter knob in particular is something you would sorely miss after having tapped into its power. (We also recently demonstrated how to “unlock” filters in Itch)

Advantage: Traktor for its dedicated filter and key knobs.

THE BEAT GRID AND OTHER DETAILS

Many functions revolve around the beat grid: loops, sync and some FX rely on a tight, accurate beat grid (and the associated tempo). The bad news is that neither program is perfect at setting the beat grid 100% of the time with the analysis function. This is especially true for songs with odd beats. Manual manipulation is the norm in getting the grids spot on.

Traktor’s beat grid manipulation tools are top notch. From ultra fine nudging to course tempo adjustments, control over your grid is easy. One big feature missing for the grid though is flexible grids like the kind found in Torq or Ableton. Traktor grids are rigid, set from an anchor point and cannot deal with songs with varying tempos.

The beat grid is new to Itch. The manipulation is not as fine as in Traktor, but is easy to work with (in fact on the DX there are on board controls that make manipulation very easy). The grid has two features not found in traktor: flexible grids for uneven tempo songs and measure bars. Traktor can count the music based on the initial grid marker, but Itch shows the measure bound between markers and counts the measures.

Winner? Its a Tie – Traktor has more advanced grid controls but Itch’s flexible grid is a desirable feature.

LOOPING

Loops work similarly in both apps, with each having its own method for manipulation. One advantage in Itch is a feature called loop roll, where initiating the loop is done in the normal way, but exiting the loop will jump the playhead to position it would have been at had you not started the loop. You can essentially perform the same thing in traktor using the ubiquitous beat masher effect but Serato’s loop roll has a cleaner sound and crisper performance.

Advantage: Itch for loop roll

AUTO SYNC

Sync in Itch is not very user friendly or efficient, actually that’s too kind, it stinks. It is a new feature that has not been well integrated in the tested version (1.2). In Traktor, sync is as good as your beat grid. If you spend the time getting the grids perfect, you will be awarded with perfect sync. To the point where you may trust it blindly and miss a bad beat grid (or one that is not following a tracks wandering tempo, remember I said the grid cannot follow tempo fluctuations).

Advantage: Traktor

BUILT IN FX

As effects are new to Itch, older controllers are not equipped to handle them and require additional hardware (both for the Vestax and Numark controllers). Only the A&H has then on-board. And like the sync function, FX are new to Itch. Use of the effects is especially complicated on the DX (apparently, much more intuitive on the Vextax and Numark auxiliary units) requiring several button presses to even activate them, never mind start to tune them. And the last lament is that filters are grouped in with the other FX, making a basic DJ control quite a few actions away.

Comparing the FX between Traktor and Itch is awkward. Traktor’s advanced FX are well evolved and the chained FX add a super knob to each loaded advanced effect that offers incredible potential. Combine mapped FX presets, like in the DJTT V3 mapping, and effect layers from subtle to extreme are at your fingertips.

Advantage: Traktor, well developed advanced FX and incomparable chained FX.

Browser

This is really a very subjective area on analysis. Personally I find the work flow in both to be efficient. But someone who is a long time user in either, would find the move awkward, more so for those moving to Itch as you cannot change the way you browse.

Both systems provide search and crate functions for easy digging and sorting, and they also feature iTunes linking. Traktor has a preview feature, which to those that are accustomed to it, is a great addition.

What each is missing are smart crates (Serato recently integrated this, Itch will probably follow soon)

Advantage: Depends on personal Taste- If you are used to Serato then Itch will be more natural.

AUTO PILOT

Digital DJing has brought about many criticized features. Things like sync and snap draw the ire of “traditionalists”. But they will just have to get used to them, because those features are here to stay and it is the wise that will prosper from them. Both developers are aware of this and work to provide the user with effective solutions. Sync was covered separately, but it could just as easily been in here.

Traktor allows us to toggle snap, quantize and sync on/off providing for a wide range of “help” depending on how much you need it. It also provides advanced features like auto-gain, which endeavors to provide a consistent audio level on load, as well as mixer and deck reset on load, zeroing any adjustments we made on the previous song. Both of these features are no-brainer helpful without taking away anything from the aesthetic performance.

Itch’s snap is linked to sync and behaves in predictable manner, but cannot be turned off. Quantize is not available and with mixing being entirely hardware based, auto-gain and the rest functions are also not possible.

Advantage: Traktor

WORKFLOW

Itch caries an advantage into this category in that it is specifically tailored to its hardware. Every function is thought out and laid out to work (although maybe not as you see best). Traktor has to cater to such an array of possibilities, it is forced to keep functionality for some things locked into the GUI, specifically with deck focus. How it comes out of this is allowing the user to map out functions it wants to individual decks, while allowing overlapping control within the focused deck. The final equalization factor being you can do all this in the way you want, optimizing your workflow to you and your equipment.

Both systems are designed from the ground up to be efficient mixing machines. And after spending some time along the learning curve of each, a relaxed mixing technique derived from your own style of mixing starts to emerge. Dance floor satisfying mixes and long smooth transitions between songs are just just as possible with each platform but how you go about making those mixes is where the dividing line starts to appear. Those that demand multiple effects and inputs from several controllers at once will be bitterly disappointed with Itch. And those that mix simply and enjoy great tactile control while taking advantage of all that digital can offer may find Traktor cold and overly complicated.

Advantage: Too personal for me to call.

STABILITY

This is the critical area of software performance where you really need to pay careful attention. All the features in the world won’t fix the audio dropping out during a peak moment. The current version of Itch is not exactly known for its stability and has some known issues. Traktor on the other hand has had nearly 4 years to sort out it’s issues and it now known for it’s relative stability.

There is one fundamental problem with the Itch/Controller paradigm which puts it at a slight dis-advantage in the stability department: each Itch controller has an internal sound card. If one system (control or audio) goes down it takes the whole package with it. Traktor, which employs seperate sound cards, can withstand controller glitches much better, often with a simple unplug-replug and the controller is back up and running without a break in the audio.

The 1-1 combination of hardware and software that Itch has also works to their advantage. Like Apple, they are able to constrain hardware variables and eliminate potential bugs – theoretically providing a more stable system. The Rub? Itch does not actually produce the hardware, so the quality of audio and drivers depends on other companies stepping up to the plate. The VCI-300, for example has a notoriously crunchy sound card and some stability issues with the drivers. There is nothing you, or Serato can do about that fact.

Advantage: Traktor, the current version of Traktor is more stable

OVERALL WINNER?

You, the user. With competition comes great advancements, and we will be there to benefit from it!

My personal 2 Cents

I thoroughly enjoy working with both of these products. Traktor’s effects and well developed mappings are just plain fun and push my creativity beyond traditional mixing. Itch is simpler but forces the dj to focus on basics and provides the feedback I need to constantly improve. There is no winner or loser in this comparison, just things that are currently done better in one than the other. I am privileged to be beta testing the next installment of Itch which is a gap closing step for its weaknesses. But you can be sure (without any inside information, however) that Traktor’s next major step will be impressive too. As usual its an exciting time to be getting into controllerism!

i understand the comments here intimately…i have had most of the DVS’s as they came out,from FS to Torq to Serato to Traktor.at first,Traktor looked as if you hadda be a rocket scientist to understand it,especially compared to Torq which has a very beautiful GUI and ease of use.however with that all said.,and from a turntablist point of view,Traktor is the best tool in my opinion for skratching and effects and latency.it jus takes a few days to understand whats what,like anything else,and how your work-flow will be.,but any person that understand DJ’ing will quickly understand and ‘be blown away’ by the exponential possibilities of the software.i have never had a problem even during super crazy 3 dj’s with RC-300 loop pedals working together inna super skratch Frank Zappa type free for all…lol.for skratching,in my opinion of course,i would recommend Traktor scratch…for mixing and party rocking…Serato…look at what the industry leaders are using,the mixmastermikes,the z-trips,the kats that rip the roof’s off venues all use serato….the kats that are mainly ‘skratch music’,use traktor.there is a reason for this.so ask yourself,what kinda DJ am i?…if both,get both.Traktor can rock out too,but rane has a sound patent that jus ‘works’ better over a big system…i dont truly understand what or why this is….but like i said,i have been an avid user of both,and for the kut-Traktor gentlemen.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1137292039 Ronald Edwards

Whatever happened to allowing the user to customize their interface with Skins? I recall PCDJ had it way back when and got excited that Traktor had a couple of options but with all of this customization, wouldn’t you think that these companies would want us to be able to change what our backgrounds, knobs and sliders looked like (just like the real world)? Maybe it’s not as important as fixing other bugs or synching up two computers using the same software, but at least a few more colors or styles might be nice to customize the layout… or am I wrong?

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1137292039 Ronald Edwards

The Article should be updated to state that Itch comes with the Novation “Twitch” (I guess they loved it so much they decided to build their product’s name on it) and (to date) seems to be the only controller with “Slicer Mode” built in. I’m certain this will change in the future but I cannot put into words how easy/convenient it is to use this controller even if you REALLY LOVE to use jog wheels… the trigger buttons and touch strip have put this controller in a class of it’s own even though other companies (like Denon) make touch-interface controllers.

DJ Death Stroke

I love my NS7 and Itch. I wish they had a sampler feature like VDJ but I can live without it. I love the fact that the controller and software worked out of the box with my Macbook Pro with no problems. I bought the unit on a Friday morning and did a gig that night and didnt miss a beat. IMO, use what ever is comfortable for you. We can bash each other all day long but the customers dont care they just want us to rock the party…………….

Joey D!

Well I just bought the kontroler s4 and I can not stop using it! Best toy I ever bought lol I have used all three…traktor, itch and
live…for just simple play..live all day..but for overallness…traktor all day…can not stand itch! Froze up at a wedding I was doing..but I got around that lol..oh and that was on the ns7..it should of came with live! I would of bought it..but the s4 is DA BOMB!

Michael

How do you unlock 4 deck mode in serato itch??

memememe

can only say i listen to all of them none has perfection in playback yet ,
i can hear the glitche spasms in serato, every few bars,
traktor does a good job at sounding analog –ish and tight, warm too.
d-jay is great in every way but sounds thin, you should give it a try,
mixmeister is great if you got the time to set up tracks but audio quality is very frail.
vinyl is still great but is a f….king pain in the but,
and its its over rated, cause it really is a never going to be without the flaws of yesteryear.
im going traktor this time , but if d-jay could sound like traktor in into that big time.

http://www.djsirkitbreaker.com kraal

[quote comment="34086"]The new TSP/TP is coming. What now Serato fanboys?[/quote]
waiting or the arrival of ITCH 2.0

http://www.djsirkitbreaker.com kraal

‘he VCI-300, for example has a notoriously crunchy sound card and some stability issues with the drivers’

hmmmm this maybe all speculation here cause i have no ‘sound card issues’ and the vci-300 doesn’t use drivers

http://www.djsirkitbreaker.com kraal

[quote comment="33390"][quote comment="33386"]MMMMM:

- The Itch INTERFACE is like a PAC-MAN.
- The Itch BROWSER is like a TRAKTOR jeje.[/quote]
I totally agree on itch’s interface being very basic, and not only in the meaning of sober, but also amateuristic, at least from what i can see on pics,[/quote]
if you are judging by pictures you are missing the point ….. ITCH has hardware that controlls everything so there is no need for the redundant virtual knobs and dials in the interface

djbigb

I am a user of both programs, I am using the VCI-300 and also the Behringer 3000 w/ Traktor Duo. With the VCI-300 I also use a Cortex-100 as a back-up because Itch would crash 1 or 2 times during to course of the night, Traktor Duo has NEVER crash when I am spinning. Just wish Traktor had better support.

DJ Grooveey

Being a DJ for 20 years I have lugged my share of record crates and cd bags and now I pray to the DJ gods for giving us Traktor Pro. For those that are worried about asthetics and “toyish” looks, Traktor Pro colors were made to make the wave stand out, to be able to clearly distinguish the wave against the background. Its not meant to look pretty, its meant to function. If you look at any professional gear whether it be audio or video it never looks pretty, it always looks outdated with big buttons and faders. Its about the functionality and how it makes it easier for the operator to use. I also work with professional video gear for HD, these are $100,000 machines with not so pretty big buttons and I kid you not the colors on the display screen of the SONY SRW5500 are the same as Traktor Pro, google the machine and look it up. The Traktor layout to me just makes sense and is customizable to your liking. I looked at ITCH and wasn’t really impressed, just a lot of colors.

http://www.woodzmuzik.com WooDz

[quote comment="33400"]Nice article.
I recently have started using traktor pro with a kontrol x1.
Going to get traktor scratch pro soon.
I have been a pro dj for 23 years and one thing that hardly ever gets mentioned [or maybe its just me] is the steep learning curve involved with traktor.
I think the better you are at mixing for example on cd the more difficult/frustrating the switch to traktor can be!
I can mix on vinyl,cd ableton etc etc but the amount of times that I have nearly stopped using traktor and compleatly reverted back to cd is unbelivable
The sync saves time and I love the looping what frustrates me is that old tracks that tempo drift cannot be mixed in traktor whilst I can easyly mix the same tracks on cd hence why im going for traktor scratch pro.
I other thing that bugs me is that I can set beatgrids that look perfect but sometimes when cueing in the headphones they seem slightly off and I mean slightly but enough to take the feeling away and no amount of minor adjustments sort the problem out, hence another reason I am looking at TSP.
Does anyone else feel the same?[/quote]

I don’t know what controller you’re using but a 70′s or 80′s warbling tempo track like ‘feel for you’ can be manually kept in sync if you have some sort of platter to bend the speed similar to vinyl. I use 2 Denon DN-S1200 for my sound cards controlling Decks A and B via Traktor Pro (not TSP)
If you’re not using a midi-controller get one ASP, you’re controllerism experience with come on in leaps and bounds. You might want to look at American Audio’s new VMS4 for $399 before you splash out another $400 on TSP with very little gained.

Sometimes I can get too reliant on visually syncing tracks and get confused when Traktor hasn’t set the beat grid correctly. Personally I see it being my fault in relying too much on the software instead of my ears. TSP won’t help you loop any better because all you’re doing is replacing the Midi-controller platters with timecode. Nothing changes with the software. However Traktor has manual loop in/out which will probably help you more.

I think the biggest hurdle by all Software programs is remembering to use your ears. Traktor is extremely visual and the auto beat grid on any music using a drum machine is 99% spot on bar the odd syncopated beat.

I feel Traktor is so good it lulls you into a false sense of security, so you stop paying attention. I’m my own worse enemy for this hence I’m not being hypocritical. With over 20 years experience and the right Midi-Controller that will give you that Vinyl emulation; the only time you should need to look at the screen in Traktor will be to load the next track.

I admire you for embracing new technology. I know a few DJ’s who haven’t got half of your experience and are happy being stuck in the 90′s still carting cases of CD’s everywhere.
Programs like Traktor and Serato should end the war between CD and Vinyl DJ’s forever as both will see the benefits digital music have and the way the software can evolve their sets beyond anything they could fathom using their traditional mediums. Pro DJ Software is a kin to Parking Sensors on your car. It’s there to make your Job easier but shouldn’t be fully relied upon.

Have I babbled enough??? I think so
Sorry if the comment was too long…
Regards WooDz

Anonymous

The new TSP/TP is coming. What now Serato fanboys?

Dutch

Traktor all the way though we need a proper flexible beatgrid solution instead of having to set multiple grids (which doesn’t always work). Get on it NI.

Question; is it possible to beatgrid in a different program and then use the set grid in Traktor?

http://ezmyrelda.com Ezmyrelda

I like Deckadance.

Colt45

One thing nobody ever mentions is a sample player – WTF?? This was a simple feature in the EARLIEST of like BPM and the crap-sounding Virtual DJ – Why can’t NI integrate a sample player or throw us a bone and give us a VST plugin for Traktor??

-45-

http://amnesiamedia.com Robbie

I have been using TS Pro for years now but i am buying a new Xone DX with Itch to try this out. I think i will be using both once i can export my tracks in the same way from Itunes as i can in Traktor

http://www.digitaldjtips.com Phil Morse

[quote comment="33439"]I think it’s great that we have NI and Serato in such a tight race for digital djing supremacy. Without a clear winner, each of them is compelled to constantly improve their product at minimal cost to the user.

Personally, I’m in the Itch/Serato camp if only for the directness and simplicity (important when you are rocking a party) of the interface.

Every time I’ve attempted to use Traktor, I find the UI to be too muddled and the library navigation unintuitive. But then I came from a vinyl background.

My VCI-300 with VFX-1 has been nothing but rock solid and user friendly. I’m less concerned with the ability to do custom mapping than I am with stability and feel. Right now Itch works best for me.[/quote]

I am in this camp as an ex-vinyl user, and also as mentioned in the review, the coloured waveforms with bass-mid-treble shading laid over each other are great, as are the other visual mixing aids. ITCH has taken a more adventurous look at the basics of mixing than Traktor, and I appreciate that. I’m not a “technical” DJ, I play tunes, and I spend most of my time finding those tunes, not practising mixing them. I want the software to help me mix the music on the fly when I’m DJing, and ITCH wins hands down for me on that score.

oldboy

itch 1.7 beta rocks but i use both depending on what i fancy

D-Kem

@Grizu,
my post was in response to a previous post on this thread that mentioned scratching and as i was drunk at the time didn’t properly read it. However i stand by Traktor timecode for scratching (vinyl DJ since 91 too). Decent response and sounds almost as good as the wax.

ArcLyte

I have to agree with mark that it is great to have these two companies slog it out. I think this was an extremely fair and well thought out review. I found myself agreeing with Ean on almost every point. I especially am glad that he pointed out the loop roll advantage of Itch (well and Scratch Live). I agree wholeheartedly that once you use that effect a few times when you come back to Traktor, the beatmasher just does not cut it and frankly I just don’t use it as much if at all now.

I also have to confess to the fact that there is something to the colored waveforms that does some how seem more… Organic or natural. When I see the sound wave in my mind it is in color. Nutty I know but there IS something there that is more appealing to me I just can’t put me finger on it.

I will say that Serato is way out of control with their pricing. It is kinda ridiculous that they have nothing for Itch OR SSL that lists under $500. I think that is a shame and they are missing out. I personally know of several Djs that are using Traktor with controller setups that cost them under $500 and they rock some mean parties and clubs (no one can see what gear you have most of the time in booth). When you have something like and Audio 2dj coming in under $100 and decent controllers around $300 that is a compelling setup for a lot of DJs. If Serato keeps it up they will be like Pioneer, coveted by most but owned by few.

Mark C.

I have to say both products are amazing and it really shows that this conmpanies are willing to develop this things for us. I jumped ship from vinyl to MIDI in a quick way and the learning curve was really steep. Im currently using TP and I love it, I dont scratch so my controller is the RMX and I love it. The only gripe I have about traktor is the way it doesnt fully do the beat grid feature, you really have to take your time and do this (which I dont mind really).

As for the comparison, I dont like the way itch’s gui looks. I mean the colors are somewhat confusing and the wave forms makes it confusing IMHO. I like to beatmatch by ear and looking at the waves throws me off a bit, I tried it once and I dunno im just not liking it. I like the way traktor has it set up. I even removed that phase meter, I really hate that thing.

If, and only if itch comes with a really nice and affordable controller, I will try itch again.

Nick Quartz

I can compare barbie doll against Katy Perry. Any time. But i luv my TSP.

Josh Ribing

Whoever dj’s via the looks of the interface are morons.
Itch 1.7 public beta is killer and Itch 2.0 will be the bomb!

http://www.twitter.com/DJUrkelDee DJ Urkel Dee

In closing, everyone needs to calm the f*ck down and take your respective controllers and go rock some parties! Don’t forget, the audience doesn’t know sh*t about what you’re using, and if you can rock with it, they’re happy :)

The best line in the article was who wins – we do. Absolutely the better one product gets, the better the other one will and in the end we have choices on what WE like better and not WHAT is better. I think they are both great products with each having pros and cons.

TOUCHE!

Haze324

I started with Traktor, have jumped ship to Itch. Its a double sided sword and really all depends on how you play. So many of the pro-traktor folks talk about midi mappings and customizing, etc. One of the things that drove me nuts about Traktos is that I was a part-time DJ and part-time computer programer. Some days I just want to play and Itch really does offer the closest thing to two decks and a mixer out there.

The best line in the article was who wins – we do. Absolutely the better one product gets, the better the other one will and in the end we have choices on what WE like better and not WHAT is better. I think they are both great products with each having pros and cons.

rorz007

See the diplay picture at the top of this article, who are the figures meant to be?? Darth Vader = Tracktor (The dark side)?? Blue wrestler = ITCH??

Juaneles

nope!

matter of fact is Darkseid, a DC comics character, and he kick the crap out of darth if they figth

bye!!!

Juaneles

nope!

matter of fact is Darkseid, a DC comics character, and he kick the crap out of darth if they figth

bye!!!

Juaneles

nope!

matter of fact is Darkseid, a DC comics character, and he kick the crap out of darth if they figth

bye!!!

Juaneles

nope!

matter of fact is Darkseid, a DC comics character, and he kick the crap out of darth if they figth

bye!!!

PoynStar

Really, despite all the slashing back and forth here, it comes down to what works for each user. I started on Final Scratch back when it came out (2004 I think) and it kind of sucked. But when Native Instruments and Stanton parted ways things got a little better, and now NI puts out some pretty killer products. I now use Traktor Scratch Pro with two turntables and a VCI-100SE, and I am LOVING it. Anyways, here’s my opinion on a couple things:

- Traktor is a more advanced product than Itch. HOWEVER, if you are wanting to scratch with a controller, the VCI-300 and Itch is the way to go. Although I am not sure why people are debating the scratch capabilities of controllers. Hah. Use turntables foo’! But in all seriousness, Itch is a great product if you want the basics for rocking a party. But Traktor is a step above this, in my opinion, because is offers SO much that the user can customize – it can become YOUR interface, set up exactly how YOU need it to be set up. Well… at least this is what I have found! I tried Itch and the VCI-300 in the store a month ago, and then bought the VCI-100SE without even trying it because I knew I wouldn’t get used to the Itch interface.

- Thanks for mentioning latency, Paddy. I use a newer Sony Vaio PC and the Audio 8 DJ sound card and have my latency set at 1ms without any problems.

- Yes, loop roll is sweet, but that shouldn’t be the make-or-break for what you decide to buy. I’d be willing to bet that NI adds a loop roll to Traktor sometime, and for now, holy crap we have a lot of other effects to choose from, don’t we!?

- Traktor Scratch Pro and Scratch Live are extremely similar in quality, and it gets down to personal preference. Although the article wasn’t really about this, which leads my to my next point.

- VJ Justin Allen, you are a dork.

In closing, everyone needs to calm the f*ck down and take your respective controllers and go rock some parties! Don’t forget, the audience doesn’t know sh*t about what you’re using, and if you can rock with it, they’re happy :)

I started using Traktor 3 last year, it was all new to me at the time, like mentioned above the learning curve was something, but once you get in to it, it’s ok.
This June I updated to Traktor Pro and like it. I have tried Itch, and the thing I like most is the waveforms and there location.
They each have there good and bad, In Traktor you can mess with the GUI , in Itch you have drumroll.
I still prefer Pro, the fact that I can use a secondary controller with out any issues,nice.

At the end, if the party is rocking, the party is rocking. Use the methods you like and bring the house down:)

My 2 cents.

Paddy

[quote comment="33469"]What about latency, guys?[/quote]

i use traktor pro at 1-2.5ms (depending if im using 2-4 decks just to leave some headroom since apc dancing lights are cpu hogs)

just trow in a decent soundcard with a decent computer and latency is something of the past

http://www.grahamthorne.co.uk Graham

Traktor for me…. Love it.

Sidewinder

What about latency, guys?
This is where ITCH is worth every penny! The only DJ program that is really close to CDJ or vinyl feeling! Traktor is a great product – no doubt about it, I have enjoyed it very much. But with ITCH’s latency adjusted to 2msec… that’s when things becomes serous! Try scratching using both programs and you’ll know what I mean!
I totally agree with everything else in this great article.
By the way, ITCH’s SYNC shouldn’t exists, it really sucks- not until ITCH 2.0, anyway.

A-Dag-Io

If you love setting up controllers like I do – Traktor is the only game you play. Just like Paddy said. There are multiple ways to pimp up any miditool, and you have the freedom of choice!
Great fun! Everytime I dig down deep into the heart of midimapping I find something mindblowing, while trying to find a way to make it more intuitive or create new combinations of FX. Call it soundexploration or whatever – DJtechTools always reminds me to push my own limits further. Thanxxx for that!

http://www.bow-tanic.de BOW-tanic

[quote comment="33443"]
…Yes loop roll is possible in Traktor, but it requires a lot of fiddling and a few routing headaches, in my opinion until it is implemented in software by NI you will have few people taking the time to bodge one up. ITCH takes this one…
[/quote]

I still use Traktor 3 for several reasons, but even with this “loop roll” is not only possible, it’s a very simple task! Just map ONE button to select Beat Masher, to select the measure and to activate the effect AT ONCE. There you go. I prepared 4 buttons with 1/4, 1/8, 1/16 & 1/32 and use them regularly.

Some other special fx makros let me have much fun even with the very limited fx section of T3. Including a 4/4-sampler to build growing loops from one shots and melodies, scratch fx, stop delay, auto filter (similar to the one shown on the new midi fighter mapping) and many more. The last invention was a gater using Beat Masher (incl. muting by “external input”, not possible in TPro).

Just give it a try and map some more functions to one button. This concept has often been shown by DJTT, you can find many examples on this blog and others (search for smart knobs).

hey traktor can count beats till markers (hotcues) it can be set in deck details>deck heading.

for those complaining about the cumbersome traktor interface, just hide the central panels, crossfader and top section if you dont use them internally (even the friggin pitchbar can be hid).

about the “crappy timecode algoritm”, set it to HiQ in the Transport Section.

i love taking a controller and map it exactly the way YOU want to (i use an apc40), that’s what is so good about controllers, don’t be limited by what is printed on them. think forward guys, don’t limit yourselves to just the A-B mixing, that applies to any kind of music.

It greatly improves beat detection to set the range closer to the styles you mix (talking about constant tempo). Adding the flexible grid should be a great bonus for traktor, but you can work around it with multiple grid anchors.

only thing i don’t like about traktor is not being able to make the preferences window bigger for mapping.

FIRST LINE OF ARTICLE:
“For years Traktor was the only game in town if you wanted professional dj software that accommodated CONTROLLER DJs.”[/quote]

Damn, I should throw away my Traktor X1 controller…it’s not a “real” controller. Oh, and let me add my iPad to that pile as well…so much for creating screens of midi controls.[/quote]

I have no idea what you are talking about. Your suggestion that SSL should have been thrown in because it supports video is flawed because this article focused on controllers not video. That is what my post was suppose to point out to you. You lost me with your reply. Please do explain.

Grizu

@D-Kem:
You’re wrong and mixed up two different things.

Q-Bert was testing two Digital Vinyl Systems with Turntables.

We’re talking about controllerism (Traktor without Scratch in the name and ITCH not Scracth Live) here, not turntablism.
ITCH is a Scratch Live like programm for controllers (doesn’t even work with turntables) and with Numark NS7 or V7 and Vestax VCI-300 scratching in ITCH is really nice.
Scratching with a controller (not turntables) in Traktor still sucks, compared to ITCH.

Check the forum here. There are enough posts telling you that Traktor user still didn’t manage to have the same feeling like it’s in ITCH if you try to scratch.

Believe me it’s crazy and I’m still spinning wax for more than 20 years now and now what I’m talking about.

unknown

here we go again…my dad can beat up your dad.
just take into the parking lot.

@VJ Justin Allen I am not sure I understand the comparison… or the point you are making about videos.

About half my gigs are VJ’ing gigs, and that is the only time I EVER use SSL. I personally don’t like anything about Serato (other than the video plug-in). Its harder to be spontaneously creative and there are less mash-up/remixes videos (compared to those millions of audio mash-ups and remixes)…

If you disagree, where do you get your videos from?[/quote]

DJ Nvidia,

I think that we’re now getting into the differences between DJ styles. In some places you absolutuly must do lots of effects, mash-up’s, unique non-commercial mixes to be successful. In others you can play more of a Top 40 set.

Personally I am more of a Top 40 DJ, minimum effects, lots of 16-32-64 count mixes. When I do use effects I use my DJM-800. So to some this is boring, to others, this is exactly what they are looking for. :)

As to where I get my videos, I have been doing strictly videos for the last 7 years, so I have pretty much every Promo Only disc, plus some of other sources as well. There are a few semi-ligit places out there that service on-line video subscriptions. They do offer a more unique remix of most commercial songs out there. As always, it’s never about what songs you have but in how you read the room and leave customers wanting more.

IMO, this is a good article. I think the line is blurring between software that is considered “controllerism” software and software that can take advantage of the variety of midi devices out there…including the iPad.

http://www.vjjustinallen.com VJ Justin Allen

[quote comment="33432"]@ VJ: Read it again buddy.

FIRST LINE OF ARTICLE:
“For years Traktor was the only game in town if you wanted professional dj software that accommodated CONTROLLER DJs.”[/quote]

Damn, I should throw away my Traktor X1 controller…it’s not a “real” controller. Oh, and let me add my iPad to that pile as well…so much for creating screens of midi controls.

DJC

[quote post="6606"]As effects are new to Itch, older controllers are not equipped to handle them and require additional hardware (both for the Vestax and Numark controllers). Only the A&H has then on-board.[/quote]

This isn’t entirely true, as the V7 has effects on-board.

http://www.vjjustinallen.com VJ Justin Allen

[quote comment="33412"]If you’re mixing video do you not use Resolume or am i behind here. Don’t see in pictures but the VJ’s i have played with use this as their preferential software.[/quote]

Zabiela was stood next to me testing another DX and had a very similar look on his face.[/quote]

Curious what did Zabiela say about itch. Sounds like he hated it just like so many other folks seem to. I’m a serato user and I agree that When I looked at itch I did not know what the hell was going on.

lethal_pizzle

A couple of points:
1) Yes loop roll is possible in Traktor, but it requires a lot of fiddling and a few routing headaches, in my opinion until it is implemented in software by NI you will have few people taking the time to bodge one up. ITCH takes this one.

2) Cluttered interface. I disagree that the fact the ITCH hardware controller means the interface is less cluttered than Traktor. Why? If you have a hardware mixer for Traktor (the VCI-100 for example) you can turn the software GUI mixer off.

@VJ Justin Allen I am not sure I understand the comparison… or the point you are making about videos.

About half my gigs are VJ’ing gigs, and that is the only time I EVER use SSL. I personally don’t like anything about Serato (other than the video plug-in). Its harder to be spontaneously creative and there are less mash-up/remixes videos (compared to those millions of audio mash-ups and remixes)…

If you disagree, where do you get your videos from?

http://www.worldsflyest.com Jahsonic

I think it’s great that we have NI and Serato in such a tight race for digital djing supremacy. Without a clear winner, each of them is compelled to constantly improve their product at minimal cost to the user.

Personally, I’m in the Itch/Serato camp if only for the directness and simplicity (important when you are rocking a party) of the interface.

Every time I’ve attempted to use traktor, I find the UI to be too muddled and the library havigation unintuitive. But then I came from a vinyl background.

My VCI-300 with VFX-1 has been nothing but rock solid and user friendly. I’m less concerned with the ability to do custom mapping than I am with stability and feel. Right now Itch works best for me.

onelove

[quote comment="33404"]good perspective from various angles, good article

just a sidenote to looproll functionality in traktor:
there is a technique (although not “out-of-the-box”) where you can emulate the looproll by copying the deck, looping on the copied deck and then switching to the original deck after we finished looping

just search for it on the forum if ur interested, its somewhere (or maybe a nice guy gives us the link :) )[/quote]

not to mention you could just map that as a direct function to a button… seriously if controllerism takes off, you guys need to learn how to map. The forums are filled with “can someone give me a step by step instruction on how to change this preset?”

No. Learn to do it the same way everyone else does: Spend time on it and play around.

Ando

itchs looks just don’t fit the picture of a professional software.
the functions are pro without a question, as long as you can live with a software that looks like a gpl licensed program, it will be a good choice.

for me that won’t work, I’ll stick to traktor and ableton.

http://www.dje1.com E1

IMO, I think Traktor is great if you like taking the time to tweak around with settings and customize it to your liking. That being said it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the amount of time you have to take to tweak it to your liking. But once you get past that hurdle I am sure it offers you a world of creativity. I however am an avid Itch user and I can testify that Itch has NEVER let me down. Not a single crash or hiccup. Only one time where my magnetic light accidentally attached itself to my controller but that was my own fault and quickly corrected.

To people that say that Itch is Amateur, I whole-heartily disagree. ITCH follows a KISS principle that is appealing to some people, myself included. I dont need my screen riddled with knobs, dropdowns, buttons etc. I’m using my computer to browse my music and the controller to control it so keeping it seperate allows me to save screen real estate for other things and keep my mind on the music selection.

In the end its all about what works for you. ITCH works for me and keeps the party rocking, traktor works for others, scratch live works for others etc. (i dislike scratchlive a lil bit because of the complicated wiring necessary to bring analog and digital control together, ITCH is forward thinking tech. Doesnt make sense as a mobile DJ to complicate your setup with extra messy wires and heavy hardware)

doc_c

[quote comment="33433"]
I see you never worked with Traktor before.. [/quote]

[quote comment="33401"]I just wanted to let you all know, I have been a Frustrated Traktor DJ for 2yrs now. I went live first time with Serato Itch last night at a gig using A&H Xone DX controller. Itch performed very well, sync functions performed better than expected, one minor audio drop out, but overall, I had ease of use with it alot less hassel to set up compared to Traktor.[/quote]
And what is that extra ‘hassel’ with Traktor? I now work with Traktor on the DX because ITCH 1.6 is buggy as hell. Never had problems with Traktor but ITCH got stuck in half an hour. It’s a known fact that ITCH 1.6 is still buggy. Hope 1.7 solves a lot of those problems. 9 out of 10 problems in Traktor are because of the user. Not the latest drivers, updates etc. The new versions got a ‘setup wizards’ which makes setting up more easily. With Traktor you can use every controller or soundcard so you do indeed have to go thrue more options in the config.

Yes, very “early 2000′s” looking, with a “stuff-the-screen-with-everything” approach. I used to dislike ITCH’s GUI, too, until I started performing with it out at gigs.

And navigation? ITCH wins hands down. The laptop is never touched during a set, while Traktor DJ’s sadly look like they’re checking their email.[/quote]
I see you never worked with Traktor before.. That’s the nice thing about Traktor. You can fill it in the way you want. Make a mapping for the whole browser or just half the browser or not at all..

‘stuff the screen with everything’.. Traktor has much more functions so it’s not weird that the screen is fuller. But they put it away in the same way under each deck so it’s very simple to find your way.

And for the colours.. If you come from ITCH or Traktor. From both ways you just have to get used to the colours.
I for myself can’t get used to ITCH. One big carnaval of colours.
And it’s not in the right order. On the DX I got the colours red and green for the decks. But in ITCH the deck-colours are only green.

Hooked on Phonix

@ VJ: Read it again buddy.

FIRST LINE OF ARTICLE:
“For years Traktor was the only game in town if you wanted professional dj software that accommodated CONTROLLER DJs.”

FIRST LINE ABOUT ITCH:
“Itch is Serato’s dip into the controller market.”

FIRST LINE ABOUT TRAKTOR:
“It is built on an open configuration principle, allowing the user exhaustive mapping possibilities for virtually any midi device”

While it does go over other facets of the software, it was written with controllers in mind.

Jack Creamation

In the interest of delivering quality information quickly and effectively, how about a side by side comparison chart to start the article off…? Then break it down further with your personal opinions. I just feel a chart would be a great tool for everyone to continually reference without having to sort through a 26 paragraph article every time… Would probably bring your hit count up as well and be very easy to update when new versions are released!

my2cents

JC

Sheeno

I think you have tried to make a fair and unbiased article, however the timing is flawed. The Itch version you are reviewing, 1.6 was never a “finished” and fully beta tested version and is only available to owners of the xone DX.

When the new fully released (and beta tested) version of Itch comes out (for all itch controllers), then I think you be able to make a much fairer comparison and we will see which software is better

http://www.vjjustinallen.com VJ Justin Allen

[quote comment="33411"]Once again to VJ it was a controller software comparison not an Audio & Video mixing software comparison.[/quote]

Actually it was a pros vs cons comparison between the two pieces of software with controller attributes thrown in.

The point I made with my original comments was comparing Traktor to Itch was flawed. Traktor is a full-featured product and Itch is the “little brother” to ScratchLive. The video example was just one that I used to illustrate the differences.

rorz007

Pilmat, your beta testing the next ITCH update??

Can you give any clues to new features, timeline for general release??

I’ll have whatever he’s smoking! Seriously? Out of those two you think Traktor is toyish? Tt least the layout has some logic to it! Itch is just a mass of primary colours and grey, in no real logical layout. Traktor uses the UNIVERSALLY ACCEPTED “deck/mixer” paradigm which is very easy to pick up. The only real issue with it is the navigation and workflow of the browser, which really needs a rethink.

I first saw Itch at BPM last year with the DX and quite frankly both my friend and I felt sorry for the UI designers for Itch. Hideous. Zabiela was stood next to me testing another DX and had a very similar look on his face.

Mauri Moore

Itch 1.7 is in public beta now .

Anonymous

SERATO EQUALS BORING… TRAKTOR EQUALS FUN TIME

E-Z

[quote comment="33400"]Nice article.
I recently have started using traktor pro with a kontrol x1.
Going to get traktor scratch pro soon.
I have been a pro dj for 23 years and one thing that hardly ever gets mentioned [or maybe its just me] is the steep learning curve involved with traktor.
I think the better you are at mixing for example on cd the more difficult/frustrating the switch to traktor can be!
I can mix on vinyl,cd ableton etc etc but the amount of times that I have nearly stopped using traktor and compleatly reverted back to cd is unbelivable
The sync saves time and I love the looping what frustrates me is that old tracks that tempo drift cannot be mixed in traktor whilst I can easyly mix the same tracks on cd hence why im going for traktor scratch pro.
I other thing that bugs me is that I can set beatgrids that look perfect but sometimes when cueing in the headphones they seem slightly off and I mean slightly but enough to take the feeling away and no amount of minor adjustments sort the problem out, hence another reason I am looking at TSP.
Does anyone else feel the same?[/quote]

Traktor hasn’t been supported in a long time! If you are still using traktor, that’s your own fault buddy, and if the beat goes out of sync you can’t adjust it yourself? lol. What kind of DJ are you? I mean this is the first task any DJ should and has to learn. To sync a track manually and when they go out of sync, how to correct it with minimal sound distortion.

E-Z

[quote comment="33382"]And neither of those two products does video. For that you need Serato ScratchLive…which really should have been included in the comparison. Putting Itch vs Traktor is kinda like putting a barbie doll against Katy Perry.[/quote]

but that is completely different from the whole point of the article in using controllers to manipulate your music. Rather than using analog/digital hardware. Also in all his comparison he is talking about using comparable equipment. Not buying a 1,500 ecler mixer/controler for traktor and leaving Itch just with the VCI.

D-Kem

Traktor v Scratch even. The beauty in Traktor is a timecode setup and user set maps for controllers to use complimentary with unparalleled FX. Qbert prefers Traktor (if only marginally) for scratch reproduction and FX. I trust his judgement and stick for now

D-Kem

I think for scratching Traktor wins. Deeper grooves in the vinyl. Check out Q-bert on Youtube testing Traktor v Itch

http://www.myspace.com/aektschndisco Grizu

Nice article, but there’s no word about scratching :(
This would be another advantage for ITCH!
In two years now I had no stability issues with ITCH and my VCI-300, and to be honest I’m glad there was no real syncfunction untill now.
One of the things I like the most in ITCH, is that there’s not much of a difference to a classic 2 turntables and a mixer setup.

It’s definitly like you said it, the winners are the users.
Each of us likes different things and i think there’s room for both products. Personally I bought TS Pro and allways give it a chance and try it again, but somehow for DVS I stay with Torq and on the controllerside I’m fully satisfied with ITCH since day one.

D-Kem

Oh said don’t see, meant don’t think, sorry.

D-Kem

If you’re mixing video do you not use Resolume or am i behind here. Don’t see in pictures but the VJ’s i have played with use this as their preferential software.

Pq

Once again to VJ it was a controller software comparison not an Audio & Video mixing software comparison.

DJ R3 Bonaire

spelling,
Here we go again. Typo’s are only hurting the eye and the critical reader. Every aricle that DJTT comes out with is highly contributing to increase our controller and digital DJ Knowledge.
Reporting this as a reply is really hurting the flow….
Hope i didn’t make any typo’s as a Dutch island man.

http://www.vjjustinallen.com VJ Justin Allen

[quote comment="33398"]@ VJ Justin Allen-this was a DJ tool comparison-not a VJ tool comparison. DJ Techtools is the name of the site-look at the top of the browser window dude.[/quote]

If you think that the VJ is not in clubs right now spinning video…just like audio, then you really need to get out more. Maybe 7 years ago when I first started video you could say that…but certainly not today.

Also you really need to be up on your tech side to even accomplish video today. Yes it’s much easier than even a year ago…but there are still technology hurdles to overcome, from proper encoding, playback devices, output, … need I go on making the “Tech” comparisons?

n2hf1st

“You can essentially perform the same thing in traktor using the ubiquitous beat masher effect but Serato’s loop roll has a cleaner sound and crisper performance.”

o rly?

Spelling

Sorry but DJTT seriously has to have a proof reader for its articles, or the author should be more stringent on double checking. The numerous typos in articles lately are really hurting the flow, and the professionalism, of these otherwise great articles.

Please proof read!

mmauve

Is Darth Vader holding some sort of sausage?, or a stick of dynamite?. What the hell is that lol

D-Kem

Tony,
Set a controller to fine tune the beatgrids if the track is tempo consistant. The ears should do the rest. If its not dance then you are out of luck at the mo but Ean has a great article on mixing non quantised tunes. There is also an article on setting the grids pre gig to save undue hassle.
P.S. vinyl DJ for 18 years and the learning curve was steep but well worth it.

negotiator

good perspective from various angles, good article

just a sidenote to looproll functionality in traktor:
there is a technique (although not “out-of-the-box”) where you can emulate the looproll by copying the deck, looping on the copied deck and then switching to the original deck after we finished looping

just search for it on the forum if ur interested, its somewhere (or maybe a nice guy gives us the link :) )

Empolo

Great article.

Sounds to me that Traktor simply needs:

– An option to display multi-colored waveforms

– A return to the modular flexibility of Traktor 3 (i.e. – the ability to move stuff around. What would be cool is the browser section up top and the decks below…even have decks 3 and 4 *above* 1 and 2) (***)

- A little reworking of the beat grid engine to make it more flexible (i.e. – like Ableton warp points flexible).

And my personal wish:

– ReWire support

(***) I recall an article somewhere quoting Ean (I believe) stating that Itch’s interface is easier on the eyes because the waveforms are near the bottom of the screen where the human eye tends to gravitate.

Dj Haven

By the way, I really hate Traktor’s layout, the colors and schemes look toyish and un-professional.

Dj Haven

I just wanted to let you all know, I have been a Frustrated Traktor DJ for 2yrs now. I went live first time with Serato Itch last night at a gig using A&H Xone DX controller. Itch performed very well, sync functions performed better than expected, one minor audio drop out, but overall, I had ease of use with it alot less hassel to set up compared to Traktor.

http://www.tcproject.co.uk tony corless

Nice article.
I recently have started using traktor pro with a kontrol x1.
Going to get traktor scratch pro soon.
I have been a pro dj for 23 years and one thing that hardly ever gets mentioned [or maybe its just me] is the steep learning curve involved with traktor.
I think the better you are at mixing for example on cd the more difficult/frustrating the switch to traktor can be!
I can mix on vinyl,cd ableton etc etc but the amount of times that I have nearly stopped using traktor and compleatly reverted back to cd is unbelivable
The sync saves time and I love the looping what frustrates me is that old tracks that tempo drift cannot be mixed in traktor whilst I can easyly mix the same tracks on cd hence why im going for traktor scratch pro.
I other thing that bugs me is that I can set beatgrids that look perfect but sometimes when cueing in the headphones they seem slightly off and I mean slightly but enough to take the feeling away and no amount of minor adjustments sort the problem out, hence another reason I am looking at TSP.
Does anyone else feel the same?

Sir Andy

@ VJ Justin Allen-this was a DJ tool comparison-not a VJ tool comparison. DJ Techtools is the name of the site-look at the top of the browser window dude.

The GUI of Traktor is a major turn off for me, Itch wins on the color scheme and horizontal waveforms which I’m used to being a Torq user. Seriously considering Itch, but I’m gonna wait until the next version of the VCI-300 or there is another controller (other than the A&H DH) that has 4 deck control and all the FX mapped on the controller. That’s why I’m looking to move from Torq-don’t want the Xponent and don’t want to have more than 1 controller. The shabby timestretching algorithm in Traktor is a MAJOR turnoff too. Well, shabby compared to Torq, Ableton and Scratch and Itch.

Bucky

Great article–I hope to see a completely integrated Traktor controller (I still see X1 as an accessory controller).

D-Kem

Briefly considered shelling out for Itch as it seemed to be catching Traktor up. After reading this i’m sticking with what i’ve got. Expecting big things from the next Traktor update too, not least a fix to the annoting itunes exception error. Searched my database and cant find chinese italics anywhere.

Pq

He was going off controller software and ITCH is Serato’s controller software so why would he use Serato’s Scratch Live in the comparison? [quote post="6606"]For that you need Serato ScratchLive…which really should have been included in the comparison.[/quote]

doc_c

ITCH interface “PACMAN”, “amateurish”?. Exactly the opposite.

It’s got a razor-sharp focus on the things that really matter during a performance. No clutter, and everything visible from a distance. The colored waveforms are an incredible tool. As a former Traktor user since 2004, I’m totally in love with ITCH’s GUI, best in the industry, hands down.

http://soundcloud.com/electrolight Electrolight

[quote comment="33386"]MMMMM:

- The Itch INTERFACE is like a PAC-MAN.
- The Itch BROWSER is like a TRAKTOR jeje.[/quote]
I totally agree on itch’s interface being very basic, and not only in the meaning of sober, but also amateuristic, at least from what i can see on pics, this article completely affirmed for me that Traktor is the absolute best (in my case)

Happy to see djtt at least isn’t including software like virtual dj in it’s reviews and tips, don’t waste your time :P

Yarik

TRAKTOR FOREVER!!!! BEST IN WORLD!!!!!! YEH BABY!!!!

Boyan

Actually Traktor can support multiple soundcards through ASIO4ALL on Windows and by making an Aggregate Sound Device form the Audio Midi Setup app on OS X

dnz

MMMMM:

- The Itch INTERFACE is like a PAC-MAN.
- The Itch BROWSER is like a TRAKTOR jeje.

Habit J

Nice write up.. So if was going to buy one tomorrow, which should i get?

Photojojo

Great article. I considered switching to Itch briefly after some of the stuff you’ve said about it but I think I’ll stick with Traktor for now.

Gianmarco

Wow great article pilmat. Great to see that while DJTT works much with traktor, it still gives unbiased reviews.

-Gianmarco

http://www.vjjustinallen.com VJ Justin Allen

And neither of those two products does video. For that you need Serato ScratchLive…which really should have been included in the comparison. Putting Itch vs Traktor is kinda like putting a barbie doll against Katy Perry.

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